Ms Kelisha Pandaram, Master of Commerce in Marketing candidate from UKZN’s School of Management, IT and Governance, recently graduated from the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship programme.
The ceremony took place in Cape Town.
The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship (JGF) – named to honour the high-impact legacy of Professor Jakes Gerwel, a teacher and educational leader – selects newly qualified educators with gateway, scarce subject, or phase specialisation, and who demonstrate a passion for education and entrepreneurial leadership competencies.
‘This experience has been a transformative milestone in my life, and I am eager to share my journey and story to inspire and empower a wider audience,’ she said.
Pandaram, who is an external academic at Mancosa, is making significant strides in the education sector by also teaching mathematics to Further Education and Training (FET) and Senior Phase students with learning disabilities. Her dedicated efforts ensure that these students have the resources and support needed to excel academically.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree in Marketing Management (summa cum laude) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (cum laude) specialising in Further Education and Training and Senior Phase.
Pandaram was also honoured with the Jakes Gerwel Fellowship Educational Leader Award 2024 for her recognition of her impact on education in South Africa by advocating for inclusivity and propelling diversity in the education sector.
‘This acknowledgement has been profoundly meaningful to me, and it inspires me to continue driving positive and inclusive change holistically across the education system,’ said Pandaram.
The two-year fellowship programme also fosters the growth, expertise, and resilience of these young educators to retain them within the education system and ensure their ongoing influence in both academia and secondary education. Pandaram has demonstrated this commitment through her active participation in the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and its Endowment Teaching Initiatives.
Pandaram expressed her aspiration to use her master’s degree to create innovative marketing strategies that will contribute to the advancement of Higher Education.
‘By integrating sustainability with innovative marketing techniques, I aim to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking educational and digital landscape,’ she said.
Adding to her impressive list of achievements, Pandaram was recently celebrated by Sunday World’s Unsung Hero project under the Youth in Academia and Education category.
Words: Samukelisiwe Cele
Photograph: Supplied
